The US Director of National Intelligence John Negroponte is slated to visit Israel in the coming days. Negroponte is on a two-day visit to Cairo meeting with Egyptian officials in an attempt to work out a deal for the release of Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
Negroponte is responsible for the upper arm of American information and is considered very close to US President George W. Bush. In the past he has served in the US Foreign Service, as US Ambassador to Iraq, and US Ambassador to the United Nations.
Negroponte, considered a friend of Israel, will meet with senior Israeli officials including the prime minister. He will also meet with the head of Mossad, Shin Bet and other intelligence officials during his visit.
Negroponte will discuss with the Israelis the common strategic threat of the two countries